Tracking constellation assembly for use in a virtual reality system

ABSTRACT

Technology is provided for a tracking constellation assembly for use in a virtual reality system. The tracking constellation assembly includes a translucent panel having an outward facing surface, and an inward facing surface and a mounting surface each opposite the outward facing surface. The translucent panel is substantially opaque to visible light and translucent to infrared light. The assembly includes a flexible circuit board including first and second opposed surfaces. A spacer interconnects the first surface of the flexible circuit board and the mounting surface of the translucent panel. Infrared light emitting diodes are connected to the flexible circuit board and positioned to direct light through the translucent panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/991,875, filed 8 Jan. 2016, and titled “TRACKINGCONSTELLATION ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM,” whichclaims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/273,422, titled TRACKING CONSTELLATION ASSEMBLY FORUSE IN A VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM, filed Dec. 30, 2015. Both applicationsare incorporated herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application is directed to virtual reality systems and, morespecifically, to head-mounted display and controller tracking features.

BACKGROUND

In a virtual reality system, a user typically wears a head-mounteddisplay that presents a selected virtual reality (VR) environment infront of the user's eyes. In some VR systems, a user can manipulateitems in the virtual environment with handheld controllers. Thehead-mounted display and controllers include tracking features comprisedof a plurality of tracking lights, for example. The system monitors themovement of the tracking lights with a tracking camera and reproducesthe user's head and hand movements in the virtual environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the tracking constellation assemblies introduced hereinmay be better understood by referring to the following DetailedDescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a virtual reality system according to arepresentative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the head mounted display shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the display unit shown in FIG. 2 withvarious components hidden to show the tracking constellation.

FIG. 4 is a partial, enlarged isometric view in cross-section of thetracking constellation assembly taken about line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-section of the trackingconstellation assembly shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the display unit with the front coverremoved to illustrate a front tracking constellation.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the front cover tracking constellationassembly as viewed from behind the cover.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-section of the trackingconstellation assembly taken about line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a handheld controller with variouscomponents hidden to show a tracking constellation therein.

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do notnecessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed embodiments.Further, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Forexample, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may beexpanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of theembodiments. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable tovarious modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detailbelow. The intention, however, is not to limit the embodimentsdescribed. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope ofthe embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

A tracking constellation assembly for use in a virtual reality system isdisclosed. In an embodiment, the tracking constellation assemblyincludes a translucent panel having an outward facing surface, and aninward facing surface and a mounting surface each opposite the outwardfacing surface. The translucent panel is substantially opaque to visiblelight and translucent to infrared light. The assembly includes aflexible circuit board including first and second opposed surfaces. Aspacer interconnects the first surface of the flexible circuit board andthe mounting surface of the translucent panel. Infrared light emittingdiodes are connected to the flexible circuit board and positioned todirect light through the translucent panel.

General Description

Various examples of the devices introduced above will now be describedin further detail. The following description provides specific detailsfor a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples.One skilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that thetechniques discussed herein may be practiced without many of thesedetails. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also understandthat the technology can include many other features not described indetail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions maynot be shown or described in detail below so as to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the relevant description.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadestreasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with adetailed description of some specific examples of the embodiments.Indeed, some terms may even be emphasized below; however, anyterminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will beovertly and specifically defined as such in this section.

FIG. 1 illustrates components of a virtual reality (VR) system accordingto a representative embodiment. The VR system 10 can include a headmounted display 100, a pair of handheld controllers 102, and a trackingcamera 20. The pair of handheld controllers 102 includes a right handcontroller 104 and a left hand controller 106. The tracking camera 20 isconnected to the VR system 10 and is operative to track both the headmounted display 100 and the handheld controllers 102. The systemmonitors the movement of the head mounted display 100 and the handheldcontrollers 102 in three-dimensional space relative to the trackingcamera 20 in order to substantially reproduce and/or utilize the user'shand and head movements in the virtual environment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head mounted display 100 includes a display unit108 with a strap assembly 110 configured to support the head mounteddisplay 100 on a user's head. In some embodiments, the head mounteddisplay 100 includes audio modules 112 positioned on the left and rightsides of the strap assembly 110. The display unit 108 has aconstellation system 115 with trackable markers selectively distributedon the display unit 108 and configured to be tracked by the camera 20.The constellation system 115 of the illustrated embodiment includesfront tracking constellation assembly 114 and one or more sidewalltracking constellation assemblies 116. As explained more fully below,the tracking constellation assemblies 114 and 116 include a plurality oflights (e.g., light emitting diodes 120) or other trackable markers thatcan be tracked by the tracking camera 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sidewall tracking constellation assembly 116includes one or more covers 122, one of which has been removed to showthe internal constellation components. The covers 122 are positioned toprotect and/or at least partially hide the tracking constellation from auser's view and are transparent or translucent relative to the lightemitting diodes 120 so the generated light is visible to the trackingcamera 20. Covers 122 can comprise a panel substantially opaque tovisible light (i.e., light within the spectrum substantially visible tohumans) yet translucent to infrared light. In some embodiments, thecovers 122 comprise the covers are made of a plastic materialsubstantially opaque to visible light and substantially transparent tolight at wavelengths above approximately 750 nm.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall tracking constellationassembly 116 includes a flexible circuit board 118 and a plurality oflight emitting diodes 120 connected to the circuit board and positionedto direct light through the translucent panels 122. With furtherreference to FIG. 4, the circuit board 118 and light emitting diodes 120are positioned on the inside surface of the cover 122. The flexiblecircuit board 118 can follow the contours of the sidewall panel or cover122 and provides power to the various light emitting diodes 120. In someembodiments, the light emitting diodes (LEDs) are 850 NM infrared LEDswith a 120 degree viewing angle. An example of a suitable infrared LEDis part number VSMY3850 available from Vishay®.

As shown in FIG. 5, cover 122 includes an outward facing surface 134 andan inward facing surface 132 and a mounting surface 130. The inwardfacing surface 132 and mounting surface 130 are opposite the outwardfacing surface 134. The flexible circuit board 118 includes a firstsurface 124 and an opposed second surface 126. The flexible circuitboard 118 is connected to the mounting surface 130 of cover 122. In someembodiments, a spacer 135 interconnects the first surface 124 of theflexible circuit board 118 and the mounting surface 130 of the coverpanel 122. In some embodiments, the spacer 135 comprises double-sidedtape in the form of an annular disk. In the depicted embodiment, thelight emitting diodes 120 are connected to the flexible circuit board118 on the first surface 124. In some embodiments, the mounting surface130 comprises a spot-face formed in the cover panel 122. Cover panel 122also includes a counterbore 136 formed therein. Accordingly, the inwardfacing surface 132 comprises a bottom surface of the counterbore 136. Insome embodiments, the spacer 135 is integral with the cover panel 122 inthe form of a boss into which a counterbore can be formed to receive thelight emitting diode 120.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distance between the inward facingsurface 132 and the outward facing surface 134 is a dimension X. Thelight emitting diode 120 is positioned in the counterbore 136 with adistance Y between the inward facing surface 132 and the light emittingdiode 120. Dimension X can be adjusted by varying the depth D of thecounterbore 136. Also, the dimension Y is adjustable by varying thedepth of the counterbore 136 as well as the thickness T of the spacer135. In at least one embodiment, dimension X is approximately 0.6 mm,dimension Y is approximately 0.083 mm, dimension D is approximately 1.55mm, and dimension T is approximately 1 mm.

At least a portion of the inward facing surface 132 has a first surfacefinish and at least a portion of the outward facing surface 134 has asecond surface finish rougher than the first surface finish. Forexample, in at least one embodiment, the inward facing surface 132 has asurface finish of SPI/SPE A2 Polish. In some embodiments, the sidewalltracking constellation assembly 116 further comprises a fabric layer 128disposed on at least a portion of the outward facing surface 134 ofcover panel 122. In at least one embodiment, the fabric layer 128 isadhered to the outward facing surface 134. The above disclosedcombination of materials, dimensions, and surface finishes have beenfound to provide desired light characteristics for tracking by thetracking camera 20. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, thedisclosed combination of materials, dimensions, and surface finishescauses the LED 120 to direct light through the translucent panel 122 andproject a substantially round point of light from the outward facingsurface 134 that is more easily tracked by the tracking camera 20 thanan irregular shaped light source.

As shown in FIG. 6, the construction of the front panel trackingconstellation assembly 114 is similar to the sidewall trackingconstellation assembly 116. The front panel tracking constellationassembly 114 also includes a flexible circuit board 140 and a pluralityof light emitting diodes 142. With further reference to FIG. 7, thefront panel tracking constellation assembly 114 includes a front cover144 to which the flexible circuit board 140 is attached. However, thelight emitting diodes 142 are positioned on the flexible circuit board140 inboard of the circuit board and cover panel 144 instead of betweenthe circuit board and the panel. An example of another suitable infraredLED is part number SFH 4253 available from OSRAM™. This LED includesreverse gullwing contacts for top down mounting to emit light throughthe circuit board. In some embodiments, the cover panel 144 is also madeof a plastic material substantially opaque to visible light andsubstantially transparent to light at wavelengths above approximately750 nm.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cover panel 144 includes an outward facingsurface 150, and a mounting surface 154 and an inward facing surface 152facing opposite the outward facing surface 150. Flexible circuit board140 includes a first surface 146 and an opposed second surface 148.Flexible circuit board 140 includes an aperture 158 formed therethrough.The light emitting diode 142 is connected to the second surface 148 ofthe circuit board and positioned to direct light through the aperture158 and through the cover panel 144. In this embodiment, the inwardfacing surface 152 and mounting surface 154 are coplanar. The firstsurface 146 is mounted to the mounting surface 154 with a layer ofdouble-sided tape 156. The double-sided tape 156 is in the form of anannular ring. In some embodiments, the double-sided tape isapproximately 0.05 mm thick. In some embodiments, the flexible circuitboard 140 is bonded directly to the mounting surface 154. The lightemitting diodes 142 are positioned a distance Z from the inward facingsurface 152 and the panel 144 has a thickness V. In at least oneembodiment, dimension Z is approximately 0.21 mm and dimension V isapproximately 1.25 mm. At least a portion of the inward facing surface152 has a first surface finish and at least a portion of the outwardfacing surface 150 has a second surface finish rougher than the firstsurface finish. In at least one embodiment, the inward facing surface152 has a surface finish of SPI/SPE A2 Polish. The combination ofmaterials, dimensions, and surface finishes disclosed with respect tothe front panel tracking constellation assembly 114 have been found toprovide desired light characteristics (e.g., round point of light) fortracking by the tracking camera 20. In particular, in at least oneembodiment, the disclosed combination of materials, dimensions, andsurface finishes provides provide the desired light characteristics fora panel that does not include a fabric layer as disclosed above withrespect to the side cover panels 122.

Although the tracking constellation assemblies have been described withrespect to the head mounted display, the handheld controllers, such asright hand controller 104, can also include tracking constellationassemblies as shown in FIG. 9. For example, the right hand controller104 includes a controller tracking constellation assembly 160. Thecontroller tracking constellation assembly 160 includes an outer cover162 translucent to infrared light and a flexible circuit board 164positioned under the cover 162. The flexible circuit board 164 supportsa plurality of light emitting diodes 166. As with the above describedembodiments, the circuit board 164 can be similarly mounted to the cover162 or the controller itself. In addition, the light emitting diodes 166can be spaced from the cover as described above and mounted as describedabove.

Remarks

As presented herein, “transparent” has the meaning of allowing thespecular transmission of light allowing light to pass through so thatobjects behind can be distinctly seen with minimal distortion. And,where “translucent” means that the material, or layers of material,allows light, but not detailed images, to pass through; also known assemi-transparent. Any references to translucent are known to apply toeither transparent or semi-translucent embodiments. “Opaque” has themeaning of appearing to block light from passing through the material orlayers of material. “Opacity” refers to the degree to which a materialis opaque. In other words, opacity refers to a material's transmittanceor ability to pass light therethrough.

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to beconstrued as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in someinstances, well-known details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, theembodiments are not limited except as by the appended claims.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. It will be appreciated thatthe same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently,alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of theterms discussed herein, and any special significance is not to be placedupon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonymsfor some terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does notexclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in thisspecification, including examples of any term discussed herein, isillustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope andmeaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, thedisclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in thisspecification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientificterms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the caseof conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tracking constellation assembly for use in avirtual reality system, comprising: a cover panel comprising an outwardfacing surface, an inward facing surface, and a mounting surface, theinward facing surface and the mounting surface each being opposite theoutward facing surface, wherein at least a portion of the outward facingsurface comprises a first surface finish and at least a portion of theinward facing surface comprises a second surface finish, wherein thefirst surface finish is different from the second surface finish; aflexible circuit board comprising a first surface and an opposed secondsurface, wherein the first surface is connected to the mounting surfaceof the cover panel; and an array of trackable markers disposed in aparticular pattern on the flexible circuit board, wherein at least onetrackable marker of the array of trackable markers is configured to emitlight that is modified by the first surface finish and the secondsurface finish of the cover panel and emerges from the outward facingsurface for tracking by at least one tracking camera, and wherein the atleast one trackable marker is disposed inboard of the cover panel. 2.The tracking constellation assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least onetrackable marker comprises at least one light.
 3. The trackingconstellation assembly of claim 2, wherein the cover panel issubstantially opaque to visible light and substantially transparent tolight wavelengths to be emitted by the at least one light.
 4. Thetracking constellation assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least onelight comprises at least one infrared light, and wherein the cover panelis substantially transparent to light wavelengths above approximately750 nm.
 5. The tracking constellation assembly of claim 1, wherein theflexible circuit board includes an aperture formed therethrough, andwherein the at least one trackable marker is connected to the secondsurface of the flexible circuit board and positioned to direct lightthrough the aperture.
 6. The tracking constellation assembly of claim 1,wherein: the constellation assembly is arranged on ahead-mounted-display system that presents a virtual environment to auser; and the at least one tracking camera tracks the user's headmovements by sensing the light that emerges from the outward facingsurface of the constellation assembly.
 7. The tracking constellationassembly of claim 1, wherein: the constellation assembly is arranged ona controller that is configured to be held by a user for controlling avirtual environment presented by the virtual reality system; and the atleast one tracking camera tracks the user's hand movements by sensingthe light that is seen to emerge from the outward facing surface of theconstellation assembly.
 8. The tracking constellation of claim 1,wherein the cover panel is comprises a plastic material.
 9. A virtualreality system, comprising: a head-mounted-display system that presentsa virtual environment to a user; one or more handheld controllersconfigured to be held by the user's hand for interacting with thevirtual environment; and a tracking constellation assembly arranged onat least one of the head-mounted-display system or the one or morehandheld controllers, the tracking constellation assembly including: acover panel comprising an outward facing surface, an inward facingsurface, and a mounting surface, the inward facing surface and themounting surface each being opposite the outward facing surface, whereinat least a portion of the outward facing surface comprises a firstsurface finish and at least a portion of the inward facing surfacecomprises a second surface finish, wherein the first surface finish isdifferent from the second surface finish; a flexible circuit boardcomprising a first surface and an opposed second surface, wherein thefirst surface is connected to the mounting surface of the cover panel;and an array of trackable markers disposed in a particular pattern onthe flexible circuit board, wherein at least one trackable marker of thearray of trackable markers is configured to emit light that is modifiedby the first surface finish and the second surface finish of the coverpanel and emerges from the outward facing surface for tracking by atleast one tracking camera, and wherein the at least one trackable markeris disposed inboard of the cover panel.
 10. The virtual reality systemof claim 9, wherein the at least one trackable marker comprises at leastone light.
 11. The virtual reality system of claim 10, wherein the coverpanel is substantially opaque to visible light and substantiallytransparent to light wavelengths to be emitted by the at least onelight.
 12. The virtual reality system of claim 11, wherein the at leastone light comprises at least one infrared light, and wherein the coverpanel is substantially transparent to light wavelengths aboveapproximately 750 nm.
 13. The virtual reality system of claim 9, whereinthe flexible circuit board includes an aperture formed therethrough, andwherein the at least one trackable marker is connected to the secondsurface of the flexible circuit board and positioned to direct lightthrough the aperture.
 14. The virtual reality system of claim 9,wherein: the constellation assembly is arranged on thehead-mounted-display system; the light to be emitted by the at least onetrackable marker is configured to be sensed by the at least one trackingcamera to track the user's head movements; and the virtual realitysystem is configured to use the tracked head movements to at least oneof reproduce or utilize the user's head movements in the virtualenvironment.
 15. The virtual reality system of claim 9, wherein: theconstellation assembly is arranged on at least one of the one or morehandheld controllers; the light to be emitted by the at least onetrackable marker is configured to be sensed by the at least one trackingcamera to track the user's hand movements; and the virtual realitysystem is configured to use the tracked hand movements to at least oneof reproduce or utilize the user's hand movements in the virtualenvironment.
 16. A method of assembling a tracking constellationassembly for use in a virtual reality system, the method comprising:providing a cover panel comprising an outward facing surface, an inwardfacing surface, and a mounting surface, the inward facing surface andthe mounting surface each being opposite the outward facing surface,wherein at least a portion of the outward facing surface comprises afirst surface finish and at least a portion of the inward facing surfacecomprises a second surface finish, wherein the first surface finish isdifferent from the second surface finish; connecting a first surface ofa flexible circuit board to the mounting surface of the cover panel, theflexible circuit board comprising the first surface and a second surfaceopposite the first surface; and connecting an array of trackable markersarranged in a particular pattern to the flexible circuit board, whereinat least one trackable marker of the array of trackable markers isconfigured to emit light that is modified by the first surface finishand the second surface finish of the cover panel and emerges from theoutward facing surface for tracking by at least one tracking camera, andwherein the at least one trackable marker is disposed inboard of thecover panel.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least onetrackable marker comprises at least one light, and the cover panel issubstantially opaque to visible light and substantially transparent tolight wavelengths emitted by the at least one light.
 18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein: the constellation assembly is arranged on ahead-mounted-display system that presents a virtual environment to auser; and the light emitted by the at least one trackable marker issensed by the at least one tracking camera to track the user's headmovements.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein: the constellationassembly is arranged on a controller that is configured to be held by auser for controlling a virtual environment presented by the virtualreality system; and the at least one tracking camera tracks the user'shand movements by sensing the light emitted from the outward facingsurface of the constellation assembly.
 20. The tracking constellation ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one trackable marker is positioned withina recess in the cover panel.